Plumber&#39;s clamp.



' No. 817,513. PATENTBD APR. 10, 1906.

R. PARKER. PLUMBERS CLAMP.

WITNESSES:

INVENTOH i ATTOHNE No. 817,513. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

R. PARKER.

PLUMBERS CL'AMP.

APPLICIATION I'ILBD JULY 27. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

//v VEN TOR fialjvhjarker ATTOHN UNITED STATES arana? OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 10, 1908.

Application filed July 27,1905- Berial No. 271,464.

\ ed out in the claims.

The invention has reference more especially to clamps for use by plumbers and others for supporting two lengths or sections of pipe or the like in the desired relation to each other, while uniting the adjacent ends thereof in any suitable manner, as by a plumbers wipe-joint, for instance.

One of the princi a1 objects of the invention is to provide a 0 amp or structure for the purpose named which is simple in construction and comparatively cheap tomanufacture, besides being collapsible to occupy but small space in storage or transportation, as well as effective and reliable in use and possessing the capacity for long and repeated service.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

side view thereof.

forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference designate similar arts in all the views, andin'whichl1 igure 1 is a view in perspective of a plumbers clam embodying my improvementsand showing the manner in which the same is employed for use in connecting together the adjacent ends of oppositely-disposed pipe lengths or sections. Fig. 2 is a Fig. 3 is a view representing the clamp or structure as collapsed for the purpose of storage or transportation. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view; and Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective, representing a modification of the construction of one part of the structure.

Before proceeding with a more detailed de scription it may be stated that in the form of my improvements herein shown I employ a base-frame of special construction, the duplicate members of which are collapsible, and associated with each of which members is a clamp of special construction comprising a stationary member and a movable member, together with special means for operating the latter to tighten a length or section of pipein placebetween the jaws of the two said members. Said clamps are collapsible with reference to each other and to the duplicate members of the said base-frame, and special means are employed for rigidly securing the members of the base-frame in distended or unfolded relation to each other for operation. Special means are also employed for rigidly securing the clamps in operative relation with the said lmsedrame, each clamp being provided with special means for enabling quick adjustmentthereof to be made in accordance with pipes of varying diameters.

While I have herein represented my im provements in a certain referred embodiment, it will be understooi of course, that I am not limited thereto in precise detail, since immaterial changes therein may be made coming within the S00 e of my invention.

Reference bein ha to the drawings by the designating c iaracters thereon, 1 represents in entirety the ,base-frame of my improved clamp, the same comprising 0 positely-disposed rectangular members 2, liLV- ing the parallel limbs 3 thereof pivotally joined together at 4:, so as to constitute practically a continuous rectangular base-frame when the two said members thereof are in distended relation to each other, as indicated in Fi s. 1 and 2. As thus joined together, the said base members 2 are capable of being collapsed or carried toward each other, as indicated in F1 3; but to maintain the same rigidly in their distended relation to each ot ier any suitable means may be employedsuch, for instance, as slides 5, embracing the lapplng portions of the hereinbefore mentioned parallel limbs 3 of said members and slidable thereon to secure the members in said rigid relations.

Pivoted to the inner sides of the parallel limbs 3 of each base member 2, near the outer ends thereof, at 6 are the lower ends of normally vertical parallel members 7 of a stationary clamp member, (indicated in entirety at 8,) the said members 7 being preferably rigidly connected at the upper ends thereof by means of a normally dished or inwardly-depressed cross-piece 9, having openings 10 therein at or near the endsthereof. Each member 7 of the said clamp member 8 is provided with a hole or openin at 11, within which; is received the hooke end 12 of a brace 13, pivoted at 14 to the correspondim limb 3 of the base member 2, with which the said clamp member is associated (see Figs. 1 and 2) to thus ri idly maintain the clamp member in vortieai position with reference to the base-frame in the use or operation of the clam The said cross-pieco'l) of each of the said stationary clamp members 8 is provided centrally thereof with a curved inner serrated jaw 15, and the vertical parallel members 7 of the clamp mem her are connected by a transverse brace having openings at or near the ends thereof corresponding to the o ienings it) in the said crossiece 9. Centrally pivoted to the un der si e of each of said braces 15 at to is a locking-plate l7, and working through each pair 0 said openings referred to is one of the parallel legs 18 of a vertically-movable clam member 19, the said parallel legs 18 or which are connected at their outer ends by a crosspiece 20. The parallel legs 18 of each movable clamp member 1'.) are provided on the inner sides thereof for a suitable distance from their inner ends with corresponding notches 21, opposite ones of which are ontered by the ends of said locking-plate 17, by which to secure the said verticaly-inovable clamp member in dilicrent positions with respect to the jaw 15 of cross-piece i) of the corresponding stationary clamp member $5. The cross-piece 20 of each movable clamp member 19 is provided with a centrally('lis posed bearing 22, in which works a screw 23, the inner end of which is operatively engaged with a nut .24, seated in a recess therefor beneath a plate 25, (see Fig. 4,) secured to the upper side of a movable jaw 26, curved and serrated on its inner face, as shown at 27, to engage with the upper surface of a length of pipe 2%), while the corresponding face of the stationary jaw 15 similarly engages the under surface thereof. The upper end of each of said screws 23 is provided with a handle 12$), by which the same may be manipulated to adjust the movable jaw 26 relatively to the stationary jaw 15 in conformity with pipe icngths of varying diameters, and it will be observed that said movable jaw is provided with a guide-plate 30 therefor, having openings Ill at or near the ends thereof to render the same movable upon the parallel vertical legs 18 of the movable clamp member. As thus constructed it will be seen that the parts of the structure may be readily collapsed, as indicatcd in l ig. 3, by which to be reduced to small compass, and consequently occupy but small s )ace either in storage or transportation of the structure, and it will also be seen that my improved device posscsses many advantages for the pur )oscs for which it is intended. To enable the struc ture .to be thus collapsed, it is simply necessary to move the slides 5 along one or the other set of parallel limbs 3 of the base members 2 and then to disengage the hooked ends 12 of each set of braces 13, by which the stationary clamp members 8 are held inoperative position. When this is done, it is ap arent that the said stationary clamp mom ers may be readily folded toward each other, whereupon the base members 2 of the structure may be similarly folded together from the under side of the base-frame. By Virtue of the presence of the slides 5 upon the sets of parallel limbs of the base members 2 the several parts orelements of thestructure are not permitted to be collapsed sufficiently close as is desirable 'under some circumstances, and to overcome thisl sometimes dispense with the use of said clamps, and in such cases 1 refer to construct the frame members 2 0 spring metal and to provide the inner surfaces of the inner extremities of the parallel limbs 3' to each frame member with corresponding projections 33 for engaging in openings 34 therefor in the other set. (See Fig. 5.) When this latter construction is resorted to, it is simply necessary to bring the parallel limbs 3 of the two sets of frame members 2 into parallelism with each other to cause the said pro'ections 33 to spring into the openings 34, an then whenever it is desired to collapse the said frame members 2 it is simply necessary to exert sufficient force upon the same in a downward direction, by which to cause the projections 33 to spring out of said openings, all of which, it is thought, will be fully apparent As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a length or section of pipe 28 is seated upon the stationary jaw 15 of each cross-piece 9, it bein understood that the corresponding movab e av. 26 has been previously adjusted to the esired position vertically by moving the legs of the movable clamp member to which it belongs within the hereinbefore-mentioned elements which sup ort this movable clamp member, the ends oi the locking-plate being afterward turned to enter corresponding notches in said legs, thus to lock the said movable clam member in position. The jaw 26 is now ad justed by turning the screw 23. until the length or section of pipe is firml gripped between the two said jaws, and t us it will be seen that the two lengths or sections of pipe will be firmly held in alinement with each other, by which to eiiect the joinder of their adjacent ends in any suitable way, as by means of an ordinary plumbers wi e-joint, (indicated at 35 in Figs. 1 and 2.) 'ter the 'oinder of the lengths or sections of ipe has been eifected the jaws 26 may be oosened by turning the screws 23 ,in a reverse direction, whereupon by disengaging the lockingplates 17 the movable clamp members and their appurtenances may be removed, thus enabling the joined pipe lengths to be lifted out, as will be apparent.

The device is exceedingly advantageous and enables the ends of pipe lengths or sections to be joined to ether in perfect alinement, since one of t e pipe lengths or sections cannot possibly be dis lace with reference to the other during t e manipulations otthe plumber or other operative making the olnt.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A structure of the character described comprising a base-frame, clamps mounted thereon for securing in position two lengths of pi e, while joining together adjacent ends of t e latter, said base-frame embodyin members having sets of limbs movabl joine together, and means for securing the imbs of the two sets in parallel relation to each other. 2. A structure of the character described, comprising a base -frame, clamps mounted thereon, iior securing in position two lengths of pipe, while joining together adj acent ends of the latter, and embodying a stationary member having a cross-piece provided with a jaw, and having openings therein, a movable member having le s working in said 0 enings, and provi ed with correspon ing notches, a cross-brace movable on said legs, and also supporting a jaw; a screw for operating the latter jaw, and a locking-plate pivoted to the cross-piece, the ends of which are received in opposite ones of the notches.

3. A structure of the character described, com rising a base-frame constructed of colla s1 le members, ipeclamps colla sible with reference to eac other, and direct y collapsible with reference to said base-frame, and braces for securing the clamps in vertical relation to the base-frame, in the parallel relation of said collapsible members to each other.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALTER R. BYNNER, HOWARD APPLEGATE. 

